-n (genetiivi)

Genitive (-n)

Level 1

The Finnish genitive case is formed by adding -n to the vowel stem of a word. It is primarily used to show who owns something (like 's in English) or to indicate a completed action on a single object.

How It Works

The genitive case serves several vital roles in Finnish grammar:

  • Possession: It indicates ownership. The owner comes before the thing owned.
    Example: Pekan auto (Pekka's car).
  • Postpositions: Most Finnish postpositions require the noun to be in the genitive.
    Example: pöydän alla (under the table).
  • Total Object: In a positive, active sentence, a singular noun acting as a 'total object' (a completed action) takes the -n ending. In most textbooks, this specific use is called the accusative case.
    Example: Syön omenan (I will eat the [whole] apple).
    Note: The -n is dropped (using the nominative form) in imperatives (Syö omena!), passives, and necessive sentences (Minun täytyy ostaa auto). Personal pronouns use a -t ending instead (e.g., minut).
  • Necessive Subject: With verbs like täytyy (must), the person who 'must' do something is in the genitive.
    Example: Minun täytyy mennä (I must go).

Formation Rules:
1. Add -n to the vowel stem.
2. Apply consonant gradation (Strong → Weak): hattu → hatun.
3. Words ending in -nen change to -se-: nainen → naisen.
4. Words ending in -e add an extra -e-: huone → huoneen.
5. Words ending in -i: New loanwords just add -n (taksi → taksin), but old Finnish words often change -i to -e- (mäki → mäen) or -si to -de- (vesi → veden).

Examples (5)

  1. Tämä on Mikon kirja.

    This is Mikko's book.

    Word by Word: This is Mikko's book.

    Here, 'Mikon' is the genitive form of 'Mikko', showing possession.

  2. Kissa on tuolin alla.

    The cat is under the chair.

    Word by Word: Cat is chair's under.

    The postposition 'alla' (under) requires the preceding noun 'tuoli' to be in the genitive form 'tuolin'.

  3. Ostan uuden tietokoneen.

    I am buying a new computer.

    Word by Word: I-buy new computer.

    Because the purchase is a 'total object' (the whole computer), both the adjective and noun take the -n ending.

  4. Luen keltaisen lehden.

    I will read the yellow magazine.

    Word by Word: I-read yellow magazine.

    The genitive -n indicates that the action of reading will be completed.

  5. Minun täytyy opiskella suomea.

    I must study Finnish.

    Word by Word: My must study Finnish.

    In 'must' sentences, the person (minä) changes to the genitive form (minun).

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the genitive with postpositions.

    Kissa on pöytä alla.
    Kissa on pöydän alla.

    Postpositions like 'alla' almost always require the noun to be in the genitive case.

  • Using the genitive object in a negative sentence.

    En osta auton.
    En osta autoa.

    In negative sentences, the object must be in the partitive case, never the genitive.

  • Using the -n ending for an object in a necessive sentence.

    Minun täytyy ostaa auton.
    Minun täytyy ostaa auto.

    When using a 'must' verb like 'täytyy', the total object drops the -n ending and looks like the nominative form.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-n (genetiivi)Level 1Genitive (-n)

Learn This First

To learn the genitive case, you need to understand how the basic nominative form changes when a suffix is added. Most importantly, you must be familiar with consonant gradation, as the -n ending often forces the word into its weak grade.

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Words in This Pattern

-n